At first, the Squirrel Busters seemed to be trying to win over Rathbun's neighbors, but that didn't last long. Watch as they put on classic renditions of Rathbun's community members, caricaturing them as "Bertha" and "Jethro."

Now, we have to give them at least a little credit for going for some humor. As has been stated elsewhere, one of the reasons Scientology comes in for so much ribbing is that, as a group, it seems to be just about the unfunniest group on Earth.

But we're not sure who the Squirrel Busters are trying to win over here. Rathbun may have some lumber laying around his yard, but will his neighbors really rally to the side of the Scientologists when they're being portrayed as too stupid to get off the toilet for a video interview? [Note: Rathbun called me tonight to deny that this is actually his yard being filmed.]

Meanwhile, there are a couple of other Scientology developments which have been making the rounds lately that we wanted to mention, if only to get them down on the record.

In Ireland, where Scientology has a different status than it does here, and has to open its books to inspection, things are not going so well. According to the Irish Times:

According to financial documents lodged by the Church of Scientology Mission of Dublin Ltd, the company's revenues more than halved from €484,070 to €193,509 in 2009. As a result of this 60 per cent drop, the church's operating surplus fell 74 per cent, from €271,804 to €68,292. The accounts are for the 12-month period to the end of April 2009, but were only signed off by the board on July 20th last after a long delay by the company in lodging the return. The last occasion the company filed accounts was in October 2008. Last night the non-executive director of the Church of Scientology Mission of Dublin, Gerard Ryan, blamed the recession for the drop in revenues. "We are not immune to the economic circumstances of the wider community and clearly this has impacted on our fundraising efforts," he said.

It's a shame that Scientology is sagging so significantly in Ireland. Maybe it needs to pry more money out of parishioners with men in uniform.

Mayor Vince Gray announced today the appointment of 26 religious leaders to his Interfaith Council, which will, in the words of a press release, "advise him and his staff on religious affairs..." One of those advisers is a Scientologist. Guess how many Buddhists, Mormons, Hindus, and Jehovah's Witnesses there are? Zero.

The lucky Hubbardite on Gray's council is Susan Lee Taylor, of the Founding Church of Scientology in DC. That's an org we've been talking about lately here at Runnin' Scared because one of its parishioners, Tad Reeves, has been a particularly interesting subject of conversation.

Otherwise, it's been a somewhat quiet day here in the bunker. Our colleague Dennis Romero followed up on our post about a Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy over at our sister paper, LA Weekly, where commenters there went after us with some ferocity. We only wish they'd call us names here. It only adds to the fun, in our opinion.

Check out our appearance in this brand new video the Squirrel Busters just posted:

First, I want to apologize to the far more capable of my fellow Scientology journalists who were overlooked and didn't appear in this short film. I am humbled to be singled out by the goon squad that watches Marty Rathbun's house from 8 in the morning, every day, until well into the night, and has managed, with six different cameras going all day long, to capture a few images of Rathbun looking aggressive.

I have never actually met Marty Rathbun, and do not consider him a personal friend -- he's a story subject and a source -- but I am very happy to have the opportunity to write about him as he creates such a furor within the church of Scientology. Same for Mark Bunker. I have yet to actually be in the presence of the man, but I do respect his many years of research and calm debate in regards to a subject that fascinates me. For that, I offer no apology. And now that I have a Squirrel Busters video denouncing me, I think my friends are generally going to find me insufferable for a few days.

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This was all edited at Gold by the looks of it? This is the new Goldren Era product line? To ridicule and degrade cultures beyond the Scientology compound that you are totally out of communication with? Is this the new "Public Relations" emerging in Mike Rinder's absence? You only communicated how buffed out, tan and good looking Marty is. Who knew?You only communicated yourselves as ignorant people using insults, instead of facts, in your "documentary".You wrong targeted an entire neighborhood in Texas for ridicule.As paid actors , and that is exactly what they are, they fail to deliver anything beyond monotone complaints with the energy of an over fed English Bulldog.You have gone into the same social intercourse as the Anon who wipes pubic hair on people.

"Show me someone critial of us and I'll show you someone with crimes" ?? When was that written? When Hubbard was running the Church, that is what "US" meant. "US" meant Hubbard. Hubbard has not been in the "US" mix since the 198's. "US" has a whole new definition now. "US" means David Miscavige. To you in the "Suirrel Busters" video speaking above, Your A=A on the "US" word is doing you and every Scientology that is on the A=A band wagon thinking David Miscavige = Ron Hubbard, a huge disservice. This is elementary abiltity in noting differences and similarities.

What can you expect it is all due to those other thetan/spirits attached to them. There world is very crowded indeed. Give those poor Busters some sympathy they are not fully up the bridge to a new world yet-the one without insanity.

there's soooo much in this article to LMAO here, i don't quite know where to begin.

Squirrel Buster Videos... a look inside the zaney scientology aquarium, where all the freaks swim freestyle, getting their freaky freak on while looking hilariously dumb, yet oblivious to just how freakishly weird they actually look to the rest of the world.

I can only assume that SBP is another of Miscavages micro-managed pet projects. No sane person would think these videos will do anything but turn more people against Scientology. Mocking the homeless and his neighbours, real classy. I know if I was a Scientologist and saw this I'd be thinking is this really where my "donations" go?

Interesting how the animated openings and closings of their videos are obvious swipes from that "discredited" BBC. Doesn't Gold have a digital effects studio? I mean, "Breaking News"? Couldn't they at least spring $30 for a stock shot?

Most of this has to be aimed at Marty and his followers to irritate and humiliate them. At first I thought they might have a secondary purpose. That is, for cult members who are curious about Marty to look at something other than his blog. I no longer believe that.

However, to the public (wogs), it shows the lengths to which the cult goes, to make the lives of ex-members miserable. It also shows the true end product of raising a pathological and controlling science fiction writer to the level of a divine authority. This is all about Hubbard and his policies, "noisy investigations," destroying enemies, including "squirrels."

It's a cult where you are love bombed with encouragement to buy into it, and vilified if you leave and speak out.

As bad as it is, the humor is somewhat of a relief.

Vulnerable people are so often drawn into Sciloontology, hoping it has the answers to something or everything. The more potential new members who are aware of this schism -- including antics like this as well as the abusiveness of Miscavige -- the better.

I thought the short road to the exit, would just be learning about Xenu via the web, in one's first months of Scientology study, but hey, seeing current cult members dedicated to this "operation," wearing t-shirts with the photo of an ex-member's head on a body of a squirrel will work too.

One of the cult's major problems is that they are growing top-heavy with ex-members, disenfranchised college students are not joining up, and Cruise is looked at with skepticism or jaw-dropping disbelief by people who see his video. Videos like these are just icing on the fruitcake.

My first observation is again just how unfunny they are when they try to be funny. Scientology as you mention Tony is famous for being completely humorless. They are aware that this horrific intrusion into someone else's life, and attempt to interfere with their basic human rights to practice their religion in peace, is so visible to the public that they try and take the edge off it by trying to make it funny.

The problem is, funny is just difficult to achieve when you're a cult and you're violating basic human rights. So a creepy cult trying to be funny, just comes off......well, creepy.

My second observation is at 1:19 into the first video, there is a picture of presumably some homeless people crashed out on the floor and the guy says "maybe he's trying to pick up some new PCs".

PCs means pre-clears to those who don't recognise the term, it means people near the bottom of the bridge who have yet to attest to the non-existent state of "clear".

In Scientology, a homeless bum crashed out on the floor is about the least appealing person in the whole world. He is a "degraded being", he is not worthy of any care or attention, he certainly could not be considered for attempting to climb the "Bridge". Attempting to help such a person would be only something a "squirrel" would try and do.

"There are only two answers for thehandling of people from 2.0 down on the Tone Scale, neither one ofwhich has anything to do with reasoning with them or listening totheir justification of their acts. The first is to raise them on theTone Scale by un-enturbulating some of their theta by any one of thethree valid processes. The other is to dispose of them quietly andwithout sorrow."

If there was ever any doubt about the schizo behavior of members of the 'Church of Scientology' (corporate) , the SQB productions shirley put that to bed!We have all seen the Zombie faces and irratic behavior of the Suirrel Busters, then they look like 'Butter wouldn't melt in their mouths'Serious qualified psychiatrist required there!!!

I think these videos are juvenile and a slap in the face to Marty's neighbors and Ingleside on the Bay. If I were the Mayor I would run those idiots out if town. This just shows how the church of scientology goes after it's critics and to how low they will go. Really SAD!

From left to right, they are dumb, dumber, and dumbest. The obese guy ion the left is just reading cue cards while the troll-woman is just nodding and making faces, and the third guy is so "dumbstruck" that he can't even talk. Talk about brainwashed! Keep it up, dummies, you are shooting yourselves in the feet.

I must say, these squirrel busters are becoming quite famous. How are they not tourist attractions in and of themselves? Aren't there any Anonymous down Marty's way? According to M.R. they are there everyday. Getting your pics next to the infamous golf cart!!! What a scoop and internet hit that would be!!!! Perhaps a signature on a mask ala T.C.?

I think maybe there is the basis for a libel suit in that video. Although I wouldn't want them to stop making these videos since they're so incredibly juvenile. It's like leaving 12 year olds home alone for the weekend with the liquor cabinet unlocked.

Tony, That is not my yard they are filming. Like virtually everything coming from the Radical Scientology Cult, it is yet another LIE. I am afraid they do not have the truth within them. If you want to know the story, ask. You asked me one question that I had no answer for. I don't publish their rot because a) they have no audience otherwise, and b) it is ALWAYS chock full of lies and misepresentations. Don't do them any favors.

The "squirrel busters" remind me of 3 unfunny zombie stooges, who are too brainwashed to knock their heads together.

Allender needs a "baby on board" sticker for his gut and I wish Tom Coconut Cruise would be forced to watch this and comment on a live TV show about it. After all, it's his former auditor who is the squirrel.

I would like to report a suspected copyright infringement. If you come across an infringement of BBC copyright that you would like to report please e-mail antipiracy@bbc.com with as much information as possible. Thank you for taking the trouble to report this, we appreciate the vigilance of our fans.

"...to dispose of them quietly and without sorrow". Does that suggest actual murder, or expulsion from the org? Actually, does anyone ever get expelled from the org or just thrown into a dungeon? I never understood why they fight so hard to keep low level penniless worker bees from leaving the org.

I find it interesting that you would characterize honest truths as "lies and misrepresentations" but obviously, you would know a lot about that seeing how you were not honest to all the Scientologists, Anti-Scientologists, and staff members, alike.

Too bad you didn't leave us before you did so much damage and abuse.

Ron put David at the helm (not you) I totally see why he wouldn't like you --- both Ron and David.

Do you think Miscavige ever writes or dictates the scripts for these films, or the anti-Marty blog entries personally?

On the one hand I imagine he likes to keep a layer between himself and the actual dirty work, on the other hand I can see him just itching to get his side of the story out there and he might be tempted to write some of this himself and have it passed down as if it came from somewhere else....?

Hi Marty & Tony,Thank you for promoting our Breaking News Bulletins. We are glad you like them and we appreciate your support. We will try to keep you updated on all the Late breaking News which should be everyday. Please see our latest Breaking News segment entitled News Bulletin #3 Marty's Bosom Buddies. We think you will enjoy it as usual. You can find all our Breaking News at our youtube channel Thesquirrelzone. Thank you again for providing us with some much content to report on.Squirrel Busters Productions

Marty, My take on the videos is they are done for David Miscavige. He's the one laughing like a maniac privately, at this invented low humor. These videos show David Miscavige's level of humor. Remember the gooney Freewinds pre-Ship Events private films that DM ordered in the early 1990s onetime. Wish that gooney video with DM acting like the a junior high prankster, THAT is what these anti Marty videos immediately remind me of. For a church "leader" to encourage and laugh at this stuff, it only shows what type of "leader" Miscavige is.

Kyote,The "them" referred to isn't necessarily Scientologists, it is anyone below 2.0 on the Tone Scale, the Hubbard gradient for assessment of worth. So who is 2.0? Well, homosexuals are below 2.0 in Scientology world. You noticed that back handed slap in the video, implying the VV is a "tabloid" because, heaven forfend, apparently it might have people who are gay in it. I guess that means the VV is below 2,0 in their eyes.

What "dispose of" means? It doesn't mean expulsion from the org. Google "RPF" to find out more about being thrown in a "dungeon". Google Derek Green and Hubbard to find out the story of the chain locker so you can see that it isn't a new Miscavige habit.

They fight so hard to keep the penniless worker because they need bodies in the shop. Drop in stats, lower numbers to report, less money or production as a result. And that can't happen. So no one can leave.

Actually no, he didn't. He put Pat and Annie Broeker at "the helm." The tiny tyrant was not even mentioned in his hat turnover. Little Davey had a conniption and said LRH's hat turnover was forged and then he started to tear everything down. Go little Davey, go.

Hi Squirrel Busters Productions. How come only one of you talks and the others are just nodding? Is that how it works in Scientology? Only the dear leader is allowed to speak? And please don't call your news breaking or even news at all. People in the free world with access to the Internet have been familiar with your "news" for weeks now. Your stuff is not exactly fresh.

Hi SquirrelBusters(snicker), you should forward that first video to Mayor Vince Gray of Washington D.C. If Scientology is a non-dogamtic religion, and the OSA internet guys are always claiming it's non-dogmatic, how can there be any squirrels at all? Even the Scientology websites make that claim, are you guys sure you know what the word means?

Exactly. The people who had proof in writing that they were designated successors- the Broekers-were taken out by Miscavige. Why was everyone close to Hubbard expelled or accused of something and kicked out? Could it be that Mr. Miscavige didn't want questions?

After the few remaining scientologists have tapped-out bank accounts or get old and need health care, the cult will be finished. It would need a man of intelligence and integrity to prevent this. Long live Miscavige!! LOL

Once again, no. In his hat turnover, Hubbard anointed Pat & Ann Broeker to the posts of "Loyal Officer 1" and "Loyal Officer 2." The tiny tyrant had this put on small plaques and placed on everyone's desk. But little davey was still fuming that Hubbard had not mentioned him at all, started a coup and took over. He got rid of everyone that could pose a threat to his coup. But Mark, don't get me wrong! Miscavage is the perfect person to run this cult into the ground and he's doing a great job too!

From what I hear, there are few remaining scientologists at this point, so that doesn't seem likely. And since Tony is a smart guy, and the smart scientologists have gotten out already... just don't see it happening.

By the way, most scientology critics weren't college flunk-outs, like your church founder!

Well, maybe if you guys didn't feed Tony such spun data he would have more Scientology friends.

Why don't you just admit to Tony that you guys were not bright enough to understand Scientology, and that you were too timid to admit any part of that to your auditors, so of course, they could do little to help.